Notre Dame showed a lot of grit battling back from two goals down in the third period with Mike Adams getting the tying goal with just five seconds left.

On the other bench, Holy Ghost Prep, being a young team, came away with some valuable lessons to brighten the future.

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Just when it looked like ND’s Stephen Anderson and HGP’s Peyton Jones were going to be the heroes between the pipes, both attacks came alive in the third period as the two skated to a thrilling 4-4 tie on a warm ice at Mercer County Park.

Down by a 3-1 margin with 9:56 left in the game, the Irish (15-1-2) felt the sense of urgency. Then down 4-3 to the Firebirds (11-6-1) with 4:09 left, they saved their best until just five seconds remained.

“We were working in the corner and it was a great pass by (Connor) McNamara,” said Adams, who went over the 100 career point mark earlier this season. “I was able to bury it.”

The score capped off quite a battle between a power from Bucks County (Pa.) and one from Mercer County. It wasn’t without mistakes, but the overall effort of both teams made it a tourney-like atmosphere.

“It was a great hockey game by two good teams,” said Holy Ghost coach Gump Whiteside. “We had a couple turnovers that cost us some goals, but the effort was there. Neither team quit and that is all you can ask for.”

Adams scored the last two ND goals in the third period. Brandon Tornquist and Jamie Shuttner accounted for the first two ND scores.

Robert Marlin, Ian Damiani, Angelo Schiavone and Michael Major found the back of the net for the Firebirds.

“They have a great hockey team and they gave us a good consistent effort,” said ND coach Andrew Ducko. “Our kids played well. We had a couple defensive lapses that cost us goals. But, the way they fought back at the end was huge.”

Early on, Anderson and Jones played a key role, turning shots away as both skated to a scoreless first period.

HGP’s Marlin scored on a 5-on-3 for the games first goal at 6:58 of the second stanza. ND answered with Shuttner notching a short-handed goal just 45 seconds later.

“Our kids are young and they gutted it out,” said Whiteside. “I learned a lot about the character of the kids in our lockerroom. I was proud to see what character stepped up.”

The ND character showed at the 10-minute mark of the third period. Down 3-1, it never stopped trying to create, and with players like Tornquist battling in the corners it knew it was within reach.

“It was a great atmosphere and we worked hard all game,” said Adams. “When we got down by two it really hit us. We knew we had to battle back and get this game. A wish we got the win, but against a team like that we’ll take the tie.”